Recent Posts

Week of April 8, 2018

April 4, 2018

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, an opportunity we have to take special advantage of God’s inexhaustible mercy held out for us this Easter Season. Pope Francis, in the first year of his Pontificate 2013, gave us some beautiful words concerning this holy feast. Pope Francis said “true peace….comes from the experience of God’s mercy.” For Pope Francis, Jesus reveals himself as “Mercy Incarnate.” Further on he said, “God is always waiting for us, He never grows tired.”

At this point in our history, I believe it is God’s mercy that is holding our whole universe together. So, here’s hoping all of us come to realize this wonderful gift of grace given to us. One way to take advantage of this opportunity is to participate in any number of Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations held throughout our diocese. Here in St. Cloud at St. Mary’s Cathedral we are observing Mercy Sunday from 1:00-4:00 pm. Please see the St. Cloud Visitor for the details of this event which will consist of prayer, reflections, confession, Eucharistic Adoration and personal quiet time for prayer. See you there!

Finally, for very personal reasons in honor of Divine Mercy Sunday and the fact that World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be coming soon on April 22nd (4th Sunday of Easter), I have decided to write a series of bulletin articles telling you my vocation story. Often, in social gatherings, I am asked: What moved you to become a priest?” Or, “How did God call you to the priesthood?” My immediate response is to avoid the question at all cost, and I do this for two reasons: One, because it is a deeply personal story and secondly because there is no short answer to these questions. Over the last several weeks, however, I have thought long and hard about this and so decided to give people a small peek at my own experience of “the Call” as some people would say. My purpose in doing this is not to blow my own horn, but maybe give everyone some idea or insight into how a vocation works and how God might also have worked (and is still working) in their own life. Everyone has some vocation! For me, this was both a wonderful and yet mysteriously frightful series of events that truly changed my life. Much of what I will write in the coming weeks will be just scratching the surface, since I have not told anyone the full story. Some things are simply not meant for public consumption because they can be so foreign to most or not completely appreciated or understood. I myself continue to learn more and be amazed as I reflect on how and why God has certain things unfold. Suffice to say that just when you think you have life all figured out, “God will surprise you!” So, stay tuned beginning next week, the story begins.

Here is hoping you continue to have a peaceful and joyful Easter Season!